Hollister
– As proposals for the construction of 14,000 new homes take
shape, some in the agricultural community are concerned about the
impact of new developments on farmers and ranchers.
Hollister – As proposals for the construction of 14,000 new homes take shape, some in the agricultural community are concerned about the impact of new developments on farmers and ranchers.
Even though early reports show that the number of agriculture land in San Benito County is increasing, some are concerned that those numbers could start to fall off. Preliminary figures in the unreleased county crop report show about 38,000 acres were irrigated for agricultural purposes last year, an increase of 2,000 acres from 2004, according to statistics from the Agricultural Commissioner’s office. Despite the gain, some local farmers and ranchers worry that land-hungry developers will drive up prices and that proposed developments will encroach on agricultural land.
“If (developers) like Del Webb and DMB start building it will have an effect,” said local row crop farmer Joe Tonascia. “There will be less land available and trying to farm next to a development isn’t easy.”
Pulte Homes subsidiary Del Webb announced plans to build a 4,400 home community on the outskirts of Hollister last February. DMB, an Arizona-based developer, also has plans to build 6,800 homes in north San Benito County.
A recent report on land values shows that the price per acre of agricultural land is increasing in San Benito County. The report, by the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, shows that the average value of irrigated land ranged from between $8,000 to $30,000 per acre in 2005. At the top end, that figure is up nearly $13,000 per acre. In 2004 the average value of irrigated land ranged from between $7,000 and $17,000 per acre. The report concluded the higher prices are due, in part, to increased housing demands.
“People love the view afforded by agricultural land,” Tonascia said. “But they don’t want to hear your tractor at 7am and they don’t want you to spray (pesticides) near their yards. It can become too much to deal with that kind of land and some people will just walk away from it.”
Less than half of 4,500 acres DMB plans to build its proposed mini-city on was irrigated agricultural land at one point in the last five years, said the company’s local representative Ray Becker. However, Becker said DMB has always been mindful of its neighbors.
“We look to build agriculture buffers between what we build on and what is used by farmers,” he said. “It needs to be well-planned, but we can coexist.”
Apple grower and county supervisor Anthony Botelho said that the increasing number of irrigated acres “shows the viability of agriculture in this area.” Botelho said sound planning is the key to making sure it stays that way.
But development is bound to increase land values, which could take a toll on some farmers.
“The land value is already way beyond the reach of agriculture,” he said. “That doesn’t mean agriculture will disappear, but it probably won’t increase dramatically either.”
As the proposed developments continue to take shape, the San Benito County Farm Bureau will make sure its voice is heard, said President Paul Hain.
Hain plans to make sure the property rights of farmers are protected and make sure valuable agriculture land doesn’t disappear.
“Outside of Hollister, almost all the land is agriculture land in some sense,” he said. “What we need to do is make sure developers get land with the least productive soils and save the best soils for crops.”
Even if land is snatched up by developers, it is still subject to county planning and the 1 percent growth cap so concern that developers will buy up all the land for houses is a long-term fear. But even with sound planning, development still poses a risk to farmland.
“Whenever you put people next to intensive agriculture, eventually the agriculture disappears,” Hain said. “Political pressure builds and the ag land has to move.”
Brett Rowland covers agriculture and public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
